Ovechkin’s 895th goal breaks Gretzky’s legendary record for most in NHL history

In a historic game against the New York Islanders on Sunday, Washington Capitals’ captain Alexander Ovechkin (Russia) shot the puck at a blistering 85 mph past the goalie to notch his 895th career goal, breaking the pre-eminent scoring record held by NHL legend Wayne Gretzky.

Absolutely elated, the 20-year veteran of the National Hockey League dove into a slide while his thrilled teammates joined him in a massive celebratory embrace. The accomplishment was all the more meaningful for the player, who literally broke his leg months prior and had to battle his way back to health to claim the title for most goals in NHL history.

Ovechkin, who started in the Russian Superleague, was drafted first overall to the Washington Capitals in 2004. He quickly became a face of the NHL for his wicked one-timer shots and quirky diet (spaghetti parm before every game, even at 9 a.m.), tactics that helped him become a consistent offensive force in the league.

The left-winger won the award for the NHL’s leading goal scorer nine times in his career, playing in over 1,487 games and tallying 1,619 goals and assists (as of 8 April), placing him 11th in the history of the NHL for points. 

He also holds the record titles for most power play goals, most goals in away games, most overtime goals, most game-winning goals, most empty-net goals, most goals with one team in NHL history, and is tied with hockey greats Mike Bossy and Gretzky for most 50-goal seasons (with nine). 

In 2017, he was voted one of the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players.

And in 2018, he led the Washington Capitals to their only Stanley Cup championship, cementing his legacy in D.C. and making him a local figurehead. 

After the goal, the game was stopped to recognize the moment, and a proud Ovechkin stood at the centre of the ice listening to cheers of “OVI, OVI, OVI” as the stadium recognized his incredible achievement.

Players from the home and away teams smacked their sticks against the ice in congratulation, and he was joined on-ice by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and prior record holder Gretzky for a victory ceremony that included his family and even some of his beloved prior teammates.

“Greatness starts with players like you and Wayne,” said Commissioner Bettman while he presented Ovechkin with a painting of him hoisting the Stanley Cup. “Congratulations, because ‘greatness’ is now part of your name.”

The hand-off was a surreal moment for previous record holder Gretzky, who proudly applauded when the Russian broke his ‘unbeatable’ record. “He deserves all the credits and accolades he’s getting,” said the Canadian ice hockey legend, whose 894 career goal record stood for 31 years.

“When I was breaking Gordie Howe’s record, he was there. And I said two years ago, if Alex gets close to my record, I’d be there. That’s the National Hockey League. From Béliveau, to Howe, to Orr, Lemieux, and Messier... you pass it down. And I hope – and you guys may not believe me – but I hope when someone break’s Alex’s record he’ll be there to shake his hand.”

And the significance of the event was not lost on Ovechkin, who once called beating Gretzky’s record “impossible.” The Canadian icon is universally known as the greatest hockey player of all time, gathering 2,857 points from 894 goals and 1,963 assists (1,238 more points than Ovechkin) in the same 20-year span. But now, the Great One has one less record title.

“What a moment for hockey, what a moment for myself,” said Ovechkin during the ceremony. “Finally, no one's gonna ask me about 'when you're gonna do it'. It's over right now.”

Header image: Alamy